Capella Sancti Michaelis, Currende Consort, Erik van Nevel - Masters From Flanders, Vol. 1-10 (2008)
BAND/ARTIST: Capella Sancti Michaelis, Currende Consort, Erik van Nevel
- Title: Masters From Flanders, Vol. 1-10
- Year Of Release: 2008
- Label: Etcetera
- Genre: Classical
- Quality: flac lossless
- Total Time: 11:25:01
- Total Size: 2.73 gb
- WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 1
01. Canzona Alla Francese
02. Ave Virgo
03. Lauda Lerusalem
04. Signor Mio Caro
05. Schiet' Arbuscel
06. Douleur Me Bat
07. Vecchie Letrose
08. Saule, Saule
09. Egressus Lesus
10. Capriccio Sopra Re Fa Mi Sol
11. Giunto Alla Tomba
12. Tu Canti
13. Quante Volte Diss'io
14. Mia Benigna Fortuna
15. Vous Sçavez Bien
16. Canzona 2
17. Frates, Scitote
18. Amen, Amen Dico Vobis
19. Vox Clamantis
20. Agimus Tibi Gratias
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 2
01. Missa Philippus II: Kyrie
02. Asperges me
03. Mais voyez
04. Je prens en gré la dure mort
05. Jouÿsance vous donneray
06. Petit Jacquet
07. Celle qui a facheulx mari
08. Du fond de ma pensee
09. Vidi speciosam
10. Regina caeli
11. Heu mihi, Domine
12. Amour et la beauté
13. Lëal amour
14. Digamos
15. A la dulce risa
16. Libera me, Domine
17. Laudate Dominum
18. Misa Philippus II: Agnus Dei
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 3
01. Magnificat Octavi Toni
02. Ad Dominum
03. Omnium Deliciarum
04. Canzon, la Doglia e'l Pianto
05. No giorno t'haggio havere
06. La nuict froide et sombre
07. Il estoit une religïeuse
08. Timor et Tremor
09. In hora ultima
10. Deus, Qui Sedes
11. Susanne un jour (G. Bassano)
12. Il grave de i'età
13. Passan Vostri Triomphi
14. S'io fusse ciaul'et tu
15. O vin en vigne
16. Der Wein der Schmeckt
17. Vidi Aquam
18. Hola, Caron
19. Aus Tiefer not schrei ich zu dir
20. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
21. Respicit Dominus
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 4
01. Pavane - Gaillarde 'La Donna'
02. Druck En Verdriet
03. Wie Sach Oit
04. Pavane- Gaillarde- Ronde 'Mille Ducas'
05. Mins Liefkens Bruin Oghen
06. Basse dance 'Dont vient cela' Reprise
07. Mijn Hert Altijt Heeft Verlanghen
08. Roepen, Bidden
09. Pavane sur la bataille, gaillarde sur la bataille, premier branle de la guerre branle (De la guerre)
10. Mijn Heeft Een Piperken Dagh Ghestelt
11. Noch Weet Ick Een Schoen Ioffrau
12. Noch Weet Ick (...)
13. Pavane da garde, gaillarde de garde, volte
14. Tsou Een Meysken Gaen Om Wijn
15. 't Meisken Was Jonck
16. Almande, allemande courrante, gaillarde au joly boys
17. Wilt Doch Belijen
18. Ghequetst Ben Ic Van Binnen
19. Branle de Bourgoigne, Branle de Champaigne, Branle 6, Ungaresca, Saltarello
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 5
01. O suavitas et dulcedo
02. Benedictus Deus
03. O Quam Gloriosum Est Regnum
04. Salve Regina
05. O Domine, Multi Dicunt
06. Adesto, Dolori Meo
07. Wie soll ein Herz
08. Litania deiparae Virginis Mariae
09. Fu preda d'empio nume
10. Assai fervida amante
11. Lagrimose mie luci
12. Lo parto o mio fedele
13. Le premier jour du mois de May
14. So drincken wir alle
15. Christ der ist erstanden
16. Super Flumina Babylonis
17. Canzona
18. Clamavi de Tribulatione Mea
19. Domini Est Terra
20. Usquequo, Domine, Oblivisceris Me?
21. Hodie Christus Natus Est
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 6
01. Alleluia, Spiritus Domoni
02. Dum complerentur
03. Factus est repente
04. Veni, Creator Spiritus
05. Triste depart
06. Plaisir n'ay plus
07. Blaison du laid tetin
08. Au joly bois
09. Jaquin Jaquet
10. Amour au cueur
11. Hortens-Lutens-Hortens
12. Forbons
13. Ad te levavi
14. Regina caeli
15. Tota pulchra es
16. Crainte et espoir m'oppressent
17. Pout ung plaisir
18. Prestés moy l'ung de ces yeulx
19. Las, je cognois
20. Ung gay bergier
21. Pis ne me peut venir
22. Missa 'Pis ne me peut venir': Kyrie - Gloria - Sanctus
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 7
01. Salve Regina
02. In Gottes Namen
03. In meinem Sinn
04. Ach, was will doch mein Herz
05. Alla battaglia
06. Mon père m'a donné mari
07. Es wollt ein Maegdlein grasen gahn
08. Il viendra le jour désiré
09. Autant en emporte le vent
10. Fors seulement
11. Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes
12. Beata es, Maria
13. Parce, Domine
14. Den haghel ende die calde snee
15. Weet ghy wat minder jonghen herten deert
16. Als al de weerelt in vruechden leeft
17. Rorate, caeli
18. Virgo prudentissima
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 8
01. Douleur me bat
02. Plusieurs regretz
03. Fortune destrange plummaige
04. Ile fantazies de Joskin
05. O Virgo Prudentissima
06. Domine ne in furore
07. Si j'avoye Marion
08. Je ne me puis tenir d'aimer
09. Allegez moy
10. Entré je suis en grant pensée
11. Faulte d'argent
12. Adieu mes amours (Lute)
13. Adieu mes amours (Choir)
14. Cueurs desolez par toute nation
15. A l'eure
16. Absolve Quaesumus
17. Mirabilia Testimonia Tua
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 9
01. Magnificat
02. Alma Redemptoris Mater
03. Ma bouche rit
04. Petite camusette
05. Per lignum
06. Salve Regina
07. Gaude prole regia
08. Vous me faites morir
09. Je suis amie du fourrier
10. Scaramella fa la galla
11. Elle l'a pris
12. Zain. Recordata est lerusalem
13. Omnium Bonorum Plena
14. Missa 'Fors seulement': Credo
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 10
01. Veni Sancte Spiritus
02. Salve flos Tuscae gentis
03. Mirandas parit
04. La belle se siet
05. Gloria in excelsis
06. Anima mea liquefacta est
07. Amours nous traitte honnestement
08. Anthoni usque limina
09. Triste plaisir et douloureuse joye
10. Amousa merchi
11. Asperges me
12. Manificat
13. Ave domina sancta Maria
14. De tous bien plaine
15. Amor che sospirar
16. Fortuna desperata
17. Regina caeli
18. Invidia nimica
19. He, compaignons
This set of 10 CDs offers a representative anthology of polyphonic compositions dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, a time when the Low Countries by the Sea played a major part in Western European music. Far across the borders the Fiamminghi were trendsetters in composition, singing and music tuition. They marked both religious and secular polyphonic music with their personal stamp, setting the norm internationally and finding followers everywhere. Kings, princes and dukes, popes, cardinals and bishops vied with each other in attracting the best Flemish polyphonists at their prestigious Renaissance courts. Unique and dazzlingly illuminated manuscripts as well as more mass-produced music prints ensured a wide distribution of the highly-praised art of these Flemings. Their virtuosic composition techniques were legendary. In a European context, their music's expressive power became one of its strongest assets. Through its intrinsical musical qualities and incomparable expressive power, Renaissance polyphony can also lead listeners of today to an aesthetic experience of the highest calibre. Unfortunately we were not able to include all the song texts with English translation inside the booklet. We have made those available for download on this website. Adriaan Willaert and Italy When Adriaan Willaert, a Fleming who lived from c.1490 to 1562, was appointed maestro di cappella of St. Mark’s in Venice in 1527, that city had already acquired European fame as cradle of polyphonic music printing, but it was not yet the leading centre of an international music culture. This happened during Willaert’s 35 years as leader of the vocal ensemble there. A group of likeminded pupils was formed around him, mainly Italians and Flemings, known as the Venetian School. Willaert’s efforts in promoting instrumental music were also rewarded. In Naples, for example, the madrigalist Giovanni de Macque – as organist – wrote valuable keybord music (canzonas, cappricios), in which the counterpoint referred to vocal music. Philippe Rogier and Spain From emperor Maximilian I onwards, the Habsburg courts were first-class centres of music where Flemish polyphonists found ideal working conditions. Charles V, the first representative of the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs, had his own capilla flamenca, consisting exclusively of Flemings. His son and successor as king of Spain, Philip II, inherited this excellent t group of singers and composers. His successive maestros de capilla were Nicolas Payen, Pierre de Manchicourt, Jean de Bonmarché, Gerard van Turnhout, Georges de la Hèle and Philippe Rogier. Orlandus Lassus Lassus’s European fame stems partly from his versatility, and partly from the high quality of his work. He is generally known as the composer of some recurring ‘hits’, however these are youthful exercises and they do not reveal the real Lassus. He was perfectly at home in all genres of vocal music which he enriched with a lot of immortal masterpieces. Apparently he was able to adapt himself effortlessly to any language. He was unequalled in his emphatic approach to texts and a master in bringing words and music together. 16th Century Songs and Dances from Flanders The year 1551 is a memorable date in the history of Flemish music. That is when the Antwerp music publisher Tielman Susato published three music books (Musyck boexkens), two with polyphonic love songs in Dutch and one with instrumental dance music. Together with some later publications by Jacob Baethen in Maastricht and by Pierre Phalèse in Leuven (Louvain), they form the main source for this vocal and instrumental repertoires in the Southern Low Countries. The anthology of songs and dances recorded here offers a varied and fascinating picture of the 16th century bourgeois musical culture. Among the notable exceptions in the irresistible song by Pierre de la Rue, Mijn hert altijt heeft verlanghen, a melancholic courtly song that has survived Margaret of Austria’s famous chansonnier. Philippus de Monte and the Habsburgers The most dedicated patrons of Flemish polyphony during the 16th century were without doubt the Habsburgs. Both the Austrian and the Spanish branches of the family recruited their maîtres de chapelle and their singers from the Low Countries. Charles V and later Philip II had their own special ’capilla flamenca’. The Austrian emperors – from Ferdinand I who succeeded his brother Charles V in 1556 to Matthias II who inherited the throne in 1612 – invariably chose misicians from the Southern Netherlands to lead their Kapelle. Their places of recidence were Vienna and Prague, while archduke Ferdinand II, emperor Maximilian’s brother, also kept a Kapelle in Innsbruck, again with a Flemish polyphonist as Kapellmeister. Nicolaas Gombert and the Court of Charles V Laying aside the politics of Charles V and Philip II in the Low Countries, one charasteristic pleading in their favour was their great love for Flemish polyphony. Two figures at the centre of Charles V’s court were Nicolas Gombert and Thomas Crequillon. Gombert’s generation witnessed the growth of music printing internationally. Flemish as well as foreign publications, including Venetian, helped to distribute their music. It is not surprising therefore that Gombert’s influence was far from limited to the Low Countries and Spain. In Rome, for example, Palestrina was also impressed by the brillant contrapuntal interplay of lines displayed in Flemish polyphony, which was once more felt to set the norm for the further evolution of 16th century music. Isaac, Obrecht, de la Rue Heinrich Isaac, ‘de Flandria’ can be considered the founder of Flemish polyphony in Germany. Starting as a singer in Florence, where he was in close contact with Lorenzo de Medici ‘Il Magnifico’, he was appointes court composer in 1496 to emperor Maximilian I, the political and cultural heir of the Burgundian dukes. Jacob Obrecht of Ghent left numerous polyphonic instrumental arrangements of songs with Flemish texts. His talent is exemplified by the apparent ease with which he composed. Pierre de la Rue takes a position between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ composers of the time, and he was the favourite composer of Margaret of Austria, governess of the Low Countries. The most remarkable quality of these great masters of polyphony is that the most complex technical tours de force never seem to hinder the free development of the melody, whose inexhaustible richness guarantees a restrained expressivity without equal. Josquin des Prez The unequalled artistry of Josquin des Prez (ca.1440-1521) has been compared to that of Michelangelo and it is true that his innovative approach to music opened the doors wide to the Renaissance, to a polyphony ‘cut to human size’, without however throwing overboard all the technical attainments of the past. Polyphonic music remained first and foremost a logical and coherent sound construction but at the same time this world of sound became impregnated with an emotional quality appealing directly to the heart; a quality so far unheard of. Besides many particularly succesful mass cycles, Josquin composed mainly motets and chansons. He was the first composer for whom the motet became the principal genre in religious misic. For those looking for music of very high quality, rich in contrasts, skilfully constructed as well as emotionally convincing, great satisfaction will be found in the music of Josquin des Prez, the ‘princeps musicae’, the first in the art of music. Johannes Ockeghem and France For about forty years, from 1452 until the 1490s, Johannes Ockeghem worked for the French Royal court which had gradually begun to recover after the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453). Josquin des Prez called Ockeghem affectionately ‘Nostre maistre et bon père’ in his famous lament, Nymphes des bois, which he wrote on the death of his admired master. Ockeghem’s total output was not very great, but it was of superior quality. He was unequalled in his mastery of the most complex contrapuntal techniques, but nowhere does this ‘hidden learnedness’ hinder the beauty, the melodic and harmonic richness of his music. Between Ockeghem and Divitis there was a span of over 70 years of polyphonic music making at the French court. Ockeghem was the central figure who imprinted his indelible stamp on music making in France, which was dominated by composers from the Southern Low Countries until far into the 16th century. Guillaume Dufay and Burgundy The Burgundian dukes were fond of music and also prepared to pay for it. Thanks to their support Flemish polyphony was able to flourish, especially in the Southern Low Countries where the rulers of the day liked to stay, as in Bruges for example. It is clear that the stylistic innovations of the first generation of Flemish polyphonists, Guillaume Dufay and Gilles Binchois, did not pass unnoticed by their contemporaries. This representative selection of secular and spiritual works by composers who were closely associated with the Burgundian dukes, but who often also had an international career, clearly demonstrates the exceptional flexibility of the first generations of Flemish polyphonistst who set the norm for most genres of polyphonic music until the end of the 16th century.
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 1
01. Canzona Alla Francese
02. Ave Virgo
03. Lauda Lerusalem
04. Signor Mio Caro
05. Schiet' Arbuscel
06. Douleur Me Bat
07. Vecchie Letrose
08. Saule, Saule
09. Egressus Lesus
10. Capriccio Sopra Re Fa Mi Sol
11. Giunto Alla Tomba
12. Tu Canti
13. Quante Volte Diss'io
14. Mia Benigna Fortuna
15. Vous Sçavez Bien
16. Canzona 2
17. Frates, Scitote
18. Amen, Amen Dico Vobis
19. Vox Clamantis
20. Agimus Tibi Gratias
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 2
01. Missa Philippus II: Kyrie
02. Asperges me
03. Mais voyez
04. Je prens en gré la dure mort
05. Jouÿsance vous donneray
06. Petit Jacquet
07. Celle qui a facheulx mari
08. Du fond de ma pensee
09. Vidi speciosam
10. Regina caeli
11. Heu mihi, Domine
12. Amour et la beauté
13. Lëal amour
14. Digamos
15. A la dulce risa
16. Libera me, Domine
17. Laudate Dominum
18. Misa Philippus II: Agnus Dei
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 3
01. Magnificat Octavi Toni
02. Ad Dominum
03. Omnium Deliciarum
04. Canzon, la Doglia e'l Pianto
05. No giorno t'haggio havere
06. La nuict froide et sombre
07. Il estoit une religïeuse
08. Timor et Tremor
09. In hora ultima
10. Deus, Qui Sedes
11. Susanne un jour (G. Bassano)
12. Il grave de i'età
13. Passan Vostri Triomphi
14. S'io fusse ciaul'et tu
15. O vin en vigne
16. Der Wein der Schmeckt
17. Vidi Aquam
18. Hola, Caron
19. Aus Tiefer not schrei ich zu dir
20. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
21. Respicit Dominus
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 4
01. Pavane - Gaillarde 'La Donna'
02. Druck En Verdriet
03. Wie Sach Oit
04. Pavane- Gaillarde- Ronde 'Mille Ducas'
05. Mins Liefkens Bruin Oghen
06. Basse dance 'Dont vient cela' Reprise
07. Mijn Hert Altijt Heeft Verlanghen
08. Roepen, Bidden
09. Pavane sur la bataille, gaillarde sur la bataille, premier branle de la guerre branle (De la guerre)
10. Mijn Heeft Een Piperken Dagh Ghestelt
11. Noch Weet Ick Een Schoen Ioffrau
12. Noch Weet Ick (...)
13. Pavane da garde, gaillarde de garde, volte
14. Tsou Een Meysken Gaen Om Wijn
15. 't Meisken Was Jonck
16. Almande, allemande courrante, gaillarde au joly boys
17. Wilt Doch Belijen
18. Ghequetst Ben Ic Van Binnen
19. Branle de Bourgoigne, Branle de Champaigne, Branle 6, Ungaresca, Saltarello
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 5
01. O suavitas et dulcedo
02. Benedictus Deus
03. O Quam Gloriosum Est Regnum
04. Salve Regina
05. O Domine, Multi Dicunt
06. Adesto, Dolori Meo
07. Wie soll ein Herz
08. Litania deiparae Virginis Mariae
09. Fu preda d'empio nume
10. Assai fervida amante
11. Lagrimose mie luci
12. Lo parto o mio fedele
13. Le premier jour du mois de May
14. So drincken wir alle
15. Christ der ist erstanden
16. Super Flumina Babylonis
17. Canzona
18. Clamavi de Tribulatione Mea
19. Domini Est Terra
20. Usquequo, Domine, Oblivisceris Me?
21. Hodie Christus Natus Est
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 6
01. Alleluia, Spiritus Domoni
02. Dum complerentur
03. Factus est repente
04. Veni, Creator Spiritus
05. Triste depart
06. Plaisir n'ay plus
07. Blaison du laid tetin
08. Au joly bois
09. Jaquin Jaquet
10. Amour au cueur
11. Hortens-Lutens-Hortens
12. Forbons
13. Ad te levavi
14. Regina caeli
15. Tota pulchra es
16. Crainte et espoir m'oppressent
17. Pout ung plaisir
18. Prestés moy l'ung de ces yeulx
19. Las, je cognois
20. Ung gay bergier
21. Pis ne me peut venir
22. Missa 'Pis ne me peut venir': Kyrie - Gloria - Sanctus
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 7
01. Salve Regina
02. In Gottes Namen
03. In meinem Sinn
04. Ach, was will doch mein Herz
05. Alla battaglia
06. Mon père m'a donné mari
07. Es wollt ein Maegdlein grasen gahn
08. Il viendra le jour désiré
09. Autant en emporte le vent
10. Fors seulement
11. Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes
12. Beata es, Maria
13. Parce, Domine
14. Den haghel ende die calde snee
15. Weet ghy wat minder jonghen herten deert
16. Als al de weerelt in vruechden leeft
17. Rorate, caeli
18. Virgo prudentissima
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 8
01. Douleur me bat
02. Plusieurs regretz
03. Fortune destrange plummaige
04. Ile fantazies de Joskin
05. O Virgo Prudentissima
06. Domine ne in furore
07. Si j'avoye Marion
08. Je ne me puis tenir d'aimer
09. Allegez moy
10. Entré je suis en grant pensée
11. Faulte d'argent
12. Adieu mes amours (Lute)
13. Adieu mes amours (Choir)
14. Cueurs desolez par toute nation
15. A l'eure
16. Absolve Quaesumus
17. Mirabilia Testimonia Tua
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 9
01. Magnificat
02. Alma Redemptoris Mater
03. Ma bouche rit
04. Petite camusette
05. Per lignum
06. Salve Regina
07. Gaude prole regia
08. Vous me faites morir
09. Je suis amie du fourrier
10. Scaramella fa la galla
11. Elle l'a pris
12. Zain. Recordata est lerusalem
13. Omnium Bonorum Plena
14. Missa 'Fors seulement': Credo
Masters From Flanders, Vol. 10
01. Veni Sancte Spiritus
02. Salve flos Tuscae gentis
03. Mirandas parit
04. La belle se siet
05. Gloria in excelsis
06. Anima mea liquefacta est
07. Amours nous traitte honnestement
08. Anthoni usque limina
09. Triste plaisir et douloureuse joye
10. Amousa merchi
11. Asperges me
12. Manificat
13. Ave domina sancta Maria
14. De tous bien plaine
15. Amor che sospirar
16. Fortuna desperata
17. Regina caeli
18. Invidia nimica
19. He, compaignons
This set of 10 CDs offers a representative anthology of polyphonic compositions dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, a time when the Low Countries by the Sea played a major part in Western European music. Far across the borders the Fiamminghi were trendsetters in composition, singing and music tuition. They marked both religious and secular polyphonic music with their personal stamp, setting the norm internationally and finding followers everywhere. Kings, princes and dukes, popes, cardinals and bishops vied with each other in attracting the best Flemish polyphonists at their prestigious Renaissance courts. Unique and dazzlingly illuminated manuscripts as well as more mass-produced music prints ensured a wide distribution of the highly-praised art of these Flemings. Their virtuosic composition techniques were legendary. In a European context, their music's expressive power became one of its strongest assets. Through its intrinsical musical qualities and incomparable expressive power, Renaissance polyphony can also lead listeners of today to an aesthetic experience of the highest calibre. Unfortunately we were not able to include all the song texts with English translation inside the booklet. We have made those available for download on this website. Adriaan Willaert and Italy When Adriaan Willaert, a Fleming who lived from c.1490 to 1562, was appointed maestro di cappella of St. Mark’s in Venice in 1527, that city had already acquired European fame as cradle of polyphonic music printing, but it was not yet the leading centre of an international music culture. This happened during Willaert’s 35 years as leader of the vocal ensemble there. A group of likeminded pupils was formed around him, mainly Italians and Flemings, known as the Venetian School. Willaert’s efforts in promoting instrumental music were also rewarded. In Naples, for example, the madrigalist Giovanni de Macque – as organist – wrote valuable keybord music (canzonas, cappricios), in which the counterpoint referred to vocal music. Philippe Rogier and Spain From emperor Maximilian I onwards, the Habsburg courts were first-class centres of music where Flemish polyphonists found ideal working conditions. Charles V, the first representative of the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs, had his own capilla flamenca, consisting exclusively of Flemings. His son and successor as king of Spain, Philip II, inherited this excellent t group of singers and composers. His successive maestros de capilla were Nicolas Payen, Pierre de Manchicourt, Jean de Bonmarché, Gerard van Turnhout, Georges de la Hèle and Philippe Rogier. Orlandus Lassus Lassus’s European fame stems partly from his versatility, and partly from the high quality of his work. He is generally known as the composer of some recurring ‘hits’, however these are youthful exercises and they do not reveal the real Lassus. He was perfectly at home in all genres of vocal music which he enriched with a lot of immortal masterpieces. Apparently he was able to adapt himself effortlessly to any language. He was unequalled in his emphatic approach to texts and a master in bringing words and music together. 16th Century Songs and Dances from Flanders The year 1551 is a memorable date in the history of Flemish music. That is when the Antwerp music publisher Tielman Susato published three music books (Musyck boexkens), two with polyphonic love songs in Dutch and one with instrumental dance music. Together with some later publications by Jacob Baethen in Maastricht and by Pierre Phalèse in Leuven (Louvain), they form the main source for this vocal and instrumental repertoires in the Southern Low Countries. The anthology of songs and dances recorded here offers a varied and fascinating picture of the 16th century bourgeois musical culture. Among the notable exceptions in the irresistible song by Pierre de la Rue, Mijn hert altijt heeft verlanghen, a melancholic courtly song that has survived Margaret of Austria’s famous chansonnier. Philippus de Monte and the Habsburgers The most dedicated patrons of Flemish polyphony during the 16th century were without doubt the Habsburgs. Both the Austrian and the Spanish branches of the family recruited their maîtres de chapelle and their singers from the Low Countries. Charles V and later Philip II had their own special ’capilla flamenca’. The Austrian emperors – from Ferdinand I who succeeded his brother Charles V in 1556 to Matthias II who inherited the throne in 1612 – invariably chose misicians from the Southern Netherlands to lead their Kapelle. Their places of recidence were Vienna and Prague, while archduke Ferdinand II, emperor Maximilian’s brother, also kept a Kapelle in Innsbruck, again with a Flemish polyphonist as Kapellmeister. Nicolaas Gombert and the Court of Charles V Laying aside the politics of Charles V and Philip II in the Low Countries, one charasteristic pleading in their favour was their great love for Flemish polyphony. Two figures at the centre of Charles V’s court were Nicolas Gombert and Thomas Crequillon. Gombert’s generation witnessed the growth of music printing internationally. Flemish as well as foreign publications, including Venetian, helped to distribute their music. It is not surprising therefore that Gombert’s influence was far from limited to the Low Countries and Spain. In Rome, for example, Palestrina was also impressed by the brillant contrapuntal interplay of lines displayed in Flemish polyphony, which was once more felt to set the norm for the further evolution of 16th century music. Isaac, Obrecht, de la Rue Heinrich Isaac, ‘de Flandria’ can be considered the founder of Flemish polyphony in Germany. Starting as a singer in Florence, where he was in close contact with Lorenzo de Medici ‘Il Magnifico’, he was appointes court composer in 1496 to emperor Maximilian I, the political and cultural heir of the Burgundian dukes. Jacob Obrecht of Ghent left numerous polyphonic instrumental arrangements of songs with Flemish texts. His talent is exemplified by the apparent ease with which he composed. Pierre de la Rue takes a position between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ composers of the time, and he was the favourite composer of Margaret of Austria, governess of the Low Countries. The most remarkable quality of these great masters of polyphony is that the most complex technical tours de force never seem to hinder the free development of the melody, whose inexhaustible richness guarantees a restrained expressivity without equal. Josquin des Prez The unequalled artistry of Josquin des Prez (ca.1440-1521) has been compared to that of Michelangelo and it is true that his innovative approach to music opened the doors wide to the Renaissance, to a polyphony ‘cut to human size’, without however throwing overboard all the technical attainments of the past. Polyphonic music remained first and foremost a logical and coherent sound construction but at the same time this world of sound became impregnated with an emotional quality appealing directly to the heart; a quality so far unheard of. Besides many particularly succesful mass cycles, Josquin composed mainly motets and chansons. He was the first composer for whom the motet became the principal genre in religious misic. For those looking for music of very high quality, rich in contrasts, skilfully constructed as well as emotionally convincing, great satisfaction will be found in the music of Josquin des Prez, the ‘princeps musicae’, the first in the art of music. Johannes Ockeghem and France For about forty years, from 1452 until the 1490s, Johannes Ockeghem worked for the French Royal court which had gradually begun to recover after the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453). Josquin des Prez called Ockeghem affectionately ‘Nostre maistre et bon père’ in his famous lament, Nymphes des bois, which he wrote on the death of his admired master. Ockeghem’s total output was not very great, but it was of superior quality. He was unequalled in his mastery of the most complex contrapuntal techniques, but nowhere does this ‘hidden learnedness’ hinder the beauty, the melodic and harmonic richness of his music. Between Ockeghem and Divitis there was a span of over 70 years of polyphonic music making at the French court. Ockeghem was the central figure who imprinted his indelible stamp on music making in France, which was dominated by composers from the Southern Low Countries until far into the 16th century. Guillaume Dufay and Burgundy The Burgundian dukes were fond of music and also prepared to pay for it. Thanks to their support Flemish polyphony was able to flourish, especially in the Southern Low Countries where the rulers of the day liked to stay, as in Bruges for example. It is clear that the stylistic innovations of the first generation of Flemish polyphonists, Guillaume Dufay and Gilles Binchois, did not pass unnoticed by their contemporaries. This representative selection of secular and spiritual works by composers who were closely associated with the Burgundian dukes, but who often also had an international career, clearly demonstrates the exceptional flexibility of the first generations of Flemish polyphonistst who set the norm for most genres of polyphonic music until the end of the 16th century.
Classical | Discography | FLAC / APE
As a ISRA.CLOUD's PREMIUM member you will have the following benefits:
- Unlimited high speed downloads
- Download directly without waiting time
- Unlimited parallel downloads
- Support for download accelerators
- No advertising
- Resume broken downloads